Amy was the girl in highschool who feared the 12 min run fitness test. Amy was the girl that silently chanted "This will not kill you" when having to run 3 mins to warm up at volleyball practice. Amy once tipped the scales at 270lbs.
That is until she started running and eating healthy.
Running taught her that she was capable of doing anything, it just took a little will power and a lot of determination.
Amy fell in love with running, and went on to run many races and teach several running clinics.
However, after a while running began to lose its appeal. It became mentally draining, and was thought of as a chore.
She now only runs once a week (on a good week) and is having trouble getting back to the point of loving it again.
Amy is also slighty embarassed to admit this, so writing this post from third person perspective makes it a little easier on her already bruised ego.
Please, offer Amy some suggestions on how to locate her running mojo.
She needs to live happily ever after.
20 comments:
Why does Amy need to be a runner? If it isn't fun at all, then why do it when there are so many other alternatives? She can bike. There's kickboxing and spinning. There's any number of P90X or Insanity type workouts. Maybe it's time for Amy to change it up and then maybe come back to running. Mixing it up is good... and it tends to help minimize injury and malaise.
It sounds like you WANT to love it again...yet, maybe it comes down to DO you love it or not?
You're an active woman who loves other types of exercise...such as the BodyStep class you mentioned recently. Maybe you used to love it, but your tastes have changed?
You seem like a person who likes to try new things. Maybe there is something else out there that may appeal to you??
Life is too short to do something deep down you don't want to do.
Here's a thought: would you ever consider becoming a certified personal trainer or teach some of those classes you love? Although I only "know" you through your blog, I can totally see you being an instructor of some type. You're good at kickin' your own ass - why not kick someone else's (and get paid for it)? :)
Just some thoughts!
here's something that worked for me: Try running without an ipod. When I first started running, I always had music to keep me company, but I would notice that my runs made me tense, upset, and anxious. Then one day I just went out for a run without any distractions, and my whole perspective changed. When I wanted to slow down or stop, instead of ignoring it by listening to music, or abruptly stopping in frustration, I made mental notes about my present state of being. I only focused on the "here and now" and was able to focus on how good I felt running, or how pretty a particular house or garden was. Now I never run with music, and I love running so much more than I did when I first started.
thanks for listening, and best of luck (with running, and in all the other things you've got going on right now).
Okay, Amy. I think Brad asked a reallygood question: do you want to be a runner or do you just think you should be? I think of things I used to do: I used to do yoga regularly, I used to live on the arc trainer, I used to walk a lot. But I don't miss those things. I would muss running if I stopped.
My last few runs have not been pretty. They have been really slow. My legs have been really tight and heavy. I have not felt like I'm a good runner, but I'm out there. Because I want to run that blasted marathon in November. And because my run schedule tells me when and how far to run.
How do you do with schedules? Do they comfort you or do you feel confined and miss flexibility? I really think what keeps me running are the silly little stickers on my calendar. And knowing that Nathan is running the sane schedule.
You could always train for my marathon and run it with me...
For me running is a mental release and my way to end the day. Being at home all day with my kids I need some me time. I took up running after my dad passed because it gave me the mental release I needed.
I run because that's what I love to do,
I run because I can.
You have done such amazing things Amy, you are a fitness godess, why is that not enough. Are you wanting to run because you want to or because you feel you need to.
I find doing something you love doesn't make it such a chore.
And on another note, what's wrong with going out once a week and doing your run with pleasure, it shouldn't be a chore.
Good luck Amy, and if it's running mojo you are after, I hope it's running mojo that you find.
If you want to get back into it why not sign up for a 5km race, it will give you something to train for and work towards. A big achievement that may start things up for you yet isn't something that you cannot do.
I'm totally gonna have to agree with Brad!
We all go through ups and downs with running. I know I have in the past. There is just something so familliar and comfortable about it that always brings me back to it. Whenever i don't want to go out and run (like today for instance) i try and remember how i'll feel 20 mins in, the blood pumping, heart racing, lungs filling feeling that you are doing something good for your body.
Since we've moved to the UK running has become a challenge. The people here are rude and take up the whole sidewalk. They see you coming but still don't give even an inch of space so i've got to jump onto the road. The drivers are even worse, i think in England you must get extra points for hitting runners. No one signals and pedestrians do not have the right of way (i learned this the hard way). Yet with all of that i am still finding joy in running. i finish with a smile on my face in all my sweaty glory and remember why i do like it. it makes me feel in control of my body rather than it controlling me. it gives me time to think about things i don't get to when the day is going by at 100 miles an hour. its part of who i am now.
Its ok to teak a break from it though, it'll likely just show you that you miss it. And if you don't theres a ton of other options. =)
PS, i laughed when i read about how you stick your mp3 player in your bra, so do i. it looks pretty funny when i'm trying to change the song or turn up the volume though. ive got a good plastic case on mine thats kept it dry so far.
Jaimee
Amy should enjoy her flings with Step, Spinning, and Kickboxing. Running will be waiting patiently when she stop by for a visit.
You've already gotten a ton of great advice and lots to ponder. Ultimately it's OK if running isn't your thing now, or ever. Even if it was at one time, maybe right now it's not. It will wait for you if you choose to go back. The main thing is to stay active and you do that so well.
That said ... when I feel burned out from running it's usually because I've become to focused on my goals (faster, farther, more often). When that happens I drop my watch, don't calculate the miles and I just out find a nice route and run - sometimes even walk if I feel like it. I just go for fun without any plans to "accomplish" anything. It seems to reignite the fire for me. And remember too ... not everyone has to run with goals in mind. You can just run for the sake of running too. It's not all about paces, races & distance. Of course, if you are competitively driven, maybe try signing up for a little race and see if that gets you going. It's worth a try anyway.
Perhaps you need to mix it up a bit? Find some aspect of running that you haven't tried yet. OR find a new challenging exercise and put running on the shelf for now so that you can come back to it with a renewed sense of purpose! :)
((HUGS))
~Kellie
I just gotta agree with everyone in that if you're burnt out on running sometimes the best thing to do is stop running and throw yourself into something else like long distance biking, spinning, zumba or even yoga!
Don't get down about your feelings about running. EVERYONE goes through that
After running for 2 years I FINALLY love running. LOVE IT! It took a long time. So it pains me to see other suggesting to give it up...if you loved it before, the love will return.
Sounds cheesy,but I bought an "I heart Running" sigg water bottle from Lulu and a Runner's World subscription...these thing help on the bad days. Tell yourself you love it over and over. Then get out there and love it.
I am so proud to be a runner. Aren't you?!
I don't have any suggestions, only that I'm sure your running mojo misses you very much too, cuz you rock and all.
Hope you get out of your running funk soon!
I know that I've been feeling a similar way with my own running. Something I have done is pick a couple of fun races to train for - mixes things up. Makes me look forward to my runs more for some reason. I've also cut myself some slack & say it
s o.k. if I miss a run.
You are one of the reasons why I took up running. After reading your blog and looking at your pictures. I love running now. And it is all because of you!! Think about that. You changed someones life!
I think you should tell Amy to use her running shoes to walk herself to a Zumba class and get her groove thang on. A good instructor will give you a great workout and the latin music... is a great motivator... and it's sexy!
I think Amy is overthinking the running. Apparently running decided to take a vacation...running wants Amy to try something new. :)
Or maybe Amy is like Jaime and just has to force herself to get back to it two or three times and then after that Amy will love it again! :)
(FYI: Jaime doesn't like running, but this situation applies to working out in general for Jaime).
mwah.
IM WITH BRAD and that's exactly what i came to say.
I LONG TO LOVE THE RUN...but I do not.
and.
scene.
Pls come move to my city and we can run with my group together...
I also like Krissie's idea of marathon training together. I am doing another one in Nov and ... misery loves company....
I totally need the schedule and 'discipline' of a group. I can get away with saying I don't want to with just me but not them.
And I ALWAYS feel better after a run.
Here are a few thoughts of mine: buy a new pair of running shoes, buy a new running outfit, run for fun instead of races, find a running partner, if those don't work...watch a show about a double amputee who loves to run. That last one always reminds me that I have two good legs and should run because you may not always have your legs or health.
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